Platelet-cancer interactions: mechanisms and pharmacology of tumour cell-induced platelet aggregation

During haematogenous metastasis, cancer cells migrate to the vasculature and interact with platelets resulting in tumour cell-induced platelet aggregation (TCIPA). We review: 1 The biological and clinical significance of TCIPA; 2 Molecular mechanisms involved in platelet aggregation by cancer cells; 3 Strategies for pharmacological regulation of these interactions. We conclude that pharmacological regulation of platelet-cancer cell interactions may reduce the impact of TCIPA on cancer biology.